by MShevach
She spends her quiet time, however rare, alone, engrossed in her own thoughts. What she thinks about is a mystery. On those safe, home days, Shinro visits.
He knocks softly on her door and waits for her answer. A voice bids him to enter. As he walks in, he takes off his coat and sits down next to Asagi. "You ok?" he asks gently. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, Shinro," she replies, sighing. "I just..."
"Just what?"
She looks at him for a long moment. "I wish this was over. You know, I want to be really safe and secure for once. I don't want to keep running away from bounty hunters."
"I don't like it either, Sag... But we've got to live with it till Sakiri's caught. We've gotta do the best we can.
Asagi wipes her face with her sleeve and forces a smile. "So... You have any special reason for coming over?"
"Seeing you isn't a good enough reason, Sag?" His eyes twinkle and his tone turns more serious. "But really... I came to see you so I could ask you to the party. I need a date and there's no one I'd choose over you. You'll go with me?"
"You need to ask? We always go together! Come on, Shinro, we've been friends since first grade!" She pauses. "But what if-
"Sakiri comes? Don't worry. The fling's in two weeks. Hopefully, someone'll catch her by then. And you've got protection remember?" Shinro stands up proudly and starts moving towards his coat. Asagi gets up and gets ready to walk him to the door. "I'm glad you came, Shinro. I feel a little better now," she tells him.
"Only a little?" he teases. "I'm Shinro Azumari. I always make you feel better. It's a gift."
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Kizuko looks around him. The only thijng he can see is the coming darkness as the sun begins to set. As he leans against a tree, he inhales deeply. Suddenly, he leaves his thoughts and heads toward the building. With a stiff air, he braces himself as he enters the mall. Kizuko seems lost, as if something so normal as a mall is new to him; it seems as if he's getting his first taste of civilization.
He walks with determination written all over his grimey face. Finally, after getting last a few times, he reaches the jewelry department. He asks the saleslady if he could look at a necklace and she hands it to him. He looks it over carefully and waits, staring interntly at the item. Soon, a customer asks the lady to show her something at the next counter. Meanwhile, he checks to make sure that no one's watching him and stuffs the necklace into his pocket. Casually, he walks out of the department. No one is the wiser.
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It's morning. Asagi yawns as she wakes up to a day of school. Her father's head pokes out behind her door. "Up, honey! Rise and shine!" calls her father. Asagi turns her face towards him and yawns.
She dresses and heads off to Shinro's house. He's standing by his front door. "Hey, Sag! You ready for the game? We're against Jouji High and they're tough. You think maybe you and the girls can make up a special cheer for us?"
"Of course, Shinro. But Jouji High? Didn't they beat us last time?" She grimaces. "They won't win this time! Not after all the practice you guys put in."
Shinro grins. "And not after the cheer you girls are gonna put on!" The two laugh ad soon they're in Jigoka High. They take their seats and let their lessons begin.
Three long hours of class pass and the big game approaches. Shinro is suited up and is getting ready to play. He enters the gym with the Jigoka team and is greeted by a thundering applause. Asagi runs over to him and wishes him good luck. The other team is still not on the court.
In the Away Team Locker Room, the Jouji team is worried. Their star Forward is sick. Without enough players on the team, they'll have ot forfeit. The coach paces back and forth, telling his team that they still have a few minutes before the game and that even if they're forced to forfeit this game, they still won Jigoka in the past. Now the two teams will be even.
The Jouji team is in despair. In the midst of their anguish, a voice offers them assistance. "You're one man short. I can help you." A boy, approximately eighteen years old, steps into the locker room.
"You can help us?" repeats the Center in disbelief. "How?"
The coach stares at the stranger. "And who might you be?" he inquires.
"That's not really your problem. I'm not from Jigoka. But I'll be decent and answer. The name's Kizuko. I can win your game."
